I Tested Out Mott & Bow Jeans -- The Results Are In

Meet The Last Pair Of Jeans You'll Ever Need To Buy

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The last time I went shopping for jeans, I came home empty-handed and feeling defeated. I needed a new pair of black jeans, because I had worn out my favorite pair to the point that the seams on the crotch tore. Unfortunately, the brand that made them discontinued the model, which led to my spending a day in SoHo scrupulously examining what felt like every men’s jean in Lower Manhattan. After trying on countless pairs, including some that cost more than a round trip to Los Angeles, I realized I had been down this path before: a bitter battle that left me with a closetful of pathetic victories.

I’m still looking for a good replacement, and since that discouraging day I’ve amassed enough jeans that I could open my own boutique in SoHo. Inside my bedroom lay bags of jeans that I’m still mulling over, many of which will inevitably get returned. If any of this rings familiar, it’s because shopping for jeans is often anticlimactic. Jeans are hard: too tight, not tight enough, too short, too long, too trendy, too boring — no wonder we don’t buy new ones until we have to. When my friend suggested I try Mott & Bow jeans I thought, “At this point, why not?”

What Is Mott & Bow?

If, like me, you’re unfamiliar with Mott & Bow, it’s an online-only brand that specializes in premium, handcrafted jeans at a fair price. Its founder, Alejandro Chahin, grew up with a family that started a denim manufacturing facility in Honduras. Today, he uses that facility and 30-plus years of experience to make expertly crafted jeans.

I ordered the Skinny Jay in black, of course, and the Skinny Benson in light blue (note: there’s free shipping on two or more pairs). The jeans arrived a few days later, and the first thing I noticed about the Jay was how dark the black is, which is a very good thing. I’m talking jet black — not the distressed kind that sometimes leaves a white finish in the weave nor the stonewashed kind that look more gray than black. That’s because these are rinsed and overdyed in black. Moreover, the stitching is black, as is all of the hardware (excluding the zipper, which is gold) making these an ideal all-black jean. Skinny jeans aren’t for everyone, but this wash also comes in a slim fit and a straight fit.

The Fit

Mott & Bow

Speaking of fit, I was relieved that these skinny jeans weren’t too, well, skinny. The problem with jeans is that no two brands fit the same. Some skinny jeans look sprayed on while others are more of a slim fit. On the spectrum of skinny, Mott & Bow’s are more of the latter, with a tapered leg opening (13 1⁄2” to be exact), so if you’re worried these will look too tight, order a pair and decide for yourself (note: there’s also free returns). The jeans hit mid-rise, which I happen to prefer over low-rise.

Fit aside, I immediately noticed how comfortable and lightweight the denim felt. I felt like I could go running in them, which I sort of did if running to catch the subway counts. I spent an evening in them hanging out in the city, and I was concerned they would lose their shape, as stretchy jeans often do after a few hours of wear (these have 2% elastane in them, which is an average amount). When I got home, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had retained their shape — even in the butt.

I pulled myself away from my black jean ambivalence to try on the Skinny Benson’s in light blue. The fit was identical, but the denim felt heavier, which it is (11.8 oz versus the 10.25 oz in the Skinny Jay). The wash features a contrasting yellow-gold thread, which is the color you want in a light blue jean, and, overall, is in good taste.

The Style

Mott & Bow

The other thing Mott & Bow gets right is the styling — they’re shockingly simple. Even the branded patch on the back of the Skinny Jay is minimal: it’s made of black leather and doesn’t distract from the jean. So many jeans today are ripped at the knees, or frayed at the hems, or whiskered on the thighs, or all of the above. Weirdly, finding a clean, simple pair of men’s jeans usually comes with a $200-plus price tag. Mott & Bow’s are all sub-$200.

Somehow, I think my long and arduous search for black jeans will never truly be over, but after trying on my Mott & Bow’s, I have one less return to make.

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